Plans announced for London’s COVID-19 recovery

22 May 2020

A new London Transition Board, co-chaired by the Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick and the London Mayor will co-ordinate London’s response as it emerges from the lockdown and begins to reopen its economy while controlling the virus.

The programme of work being put in place will be the biggest since the end of the Second World War and will include opportunities for Londoners to be involved in setting priorities and shaping London’s recovery and renewal.

The Board will be made up of senior leaders from across the city and provide strategic direction for the next phase of response and restart, focusing on the key issues which London will face over the coming months, including:

Infection control

Phasing in and out of varying levels of lockdown

Recovery of public services, such as transport.

Communities Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick, said: "I want to thank all of those across London who have worked in partnership with the government since the start of the pandemic to protect Londoners and keep essential services running. Now we are past the peak it is right that we focus on safely reopening the capital, taking the necessary steps to control the virus.

"Through this new Transition Board, we will carefully build on the extensive planning already underway to get life and business in London - the most dynamic capital city in the world - safely back on track."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic is the most significant public health crisis in living memory. We are not being complacent about the continued threat from coronavirus, but the economic, health and social challenges arising from both the virus itself and from the lockdown are far-reaching, and London’s recovery will be a long and complex road that will take many months, if not years.

"As Mayor, I am committed to securing a better future for Londoners. The city’s recovery from Covid-19 must ensure that nobody is left behind, and no one organisation or sector can tackle these challenges alone.

"The measures announced today plan to bring together local government, civil and civic society, faith organisations, business, unions and Londoners themselves to reshape London as a city that remains open, safe and attractive for Londoners, visitors and investors."